Curtain stretcher



- Apfii E7 1928. 1,666,622

F. W. HESS CURTAIN STREETCHER Filed Aug. 9, 1925 IN V EN TOQS Fragnk WLHQUSS BY .flWMM AITORNEYS Patented Apr. 17, 1928.

UNITED STATES FRANK W. HESS, F FREEPORT, ILLINOIS.

CURTAIN STRETCHER.

Application filed August 9, 1926'. Serial No. 128,142.

This invention is a novel improvement in. curtain drying and stretching devices, and the principal object of the invention is to provide a curtain drier and stretcher which will dispense with the necessity of ironing the curtains, thereby lengthening the life of the curtains, and moreover which will dry and stretch a plurality of curtains simultaneously in a relatively short time. Anothlo er object is to provide a drying and stretchin device which will be easy to handle and wi 1 not rust or stain the curtains.

A further object of the invention is to provide a curtain drying and stretching dem vice having a knock down frame which may be stored in a relatively small'space when not in use.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a curtain stretching device havso ing metallic enamel-coated rods adapted to be run through the hems at the top and bottom edges of the curtains, the upper rod having eyelets and its ends adapted to engage hooks at the top of the frame, and the lower rod being adapted to be run through the hem in the lower edge of the curtain and having e elets at its ends for use in hang-' ing weig ts thereon when it is desired to stretch curtains of a material which is heavae ier than ordinary lace.

Other minor objects of the invention will be hereinafter set forth.

I will explain my invention with reference to the accompanying drawing which illustrates one practical embodiment thereof to enable others to adopt and use the same, and will summarize in the claims the novel features of construction, and novel combinations of parts, for which protection is desired.

In said drawing Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my curtain stretching device showing a pair of curtains hung thereon.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the base of the device.

Fig. 3 is a detail view showing theparts separated.

As shown in the drawing, my novel curtain drying and stretching device preferably comprises a pair of bases 1, having projections 1 on the upper faces, disposed at the center thereof. The members 1 and 1 may be formed integrally, or may be made separately, and fastened together by any suitable means so as to form an integral base. In the center of each base 1, below the projection 1*, IS a perforation 1", and

hinged to each base 1 by means of bolts 1" an upright 2, connected to the base as its lower end. Upri hts 2 are adapted to be swung down on olts 1 parallel with bases 1 for convenience in packing the device for shipment or storage.

In the center of each projection 1 is a perforation 1 adapted to receive bolts 2 which also pass through registering holes 2 in the uprights 2, said bolts being provided with wing nuts 2 whereby the uprights may be locked in vertical position or at right angles to the bases 1.

Extending between the uprights 2 is a horizontally disposed cross brace 3 having T-shaped heads 3 on its ends which are perforated, as at 3 and adapted to receive bolts 33 passing through said perforations and registering perforations 2 in the uprights 2, the bolts 3.being provided with wing nuts 3, whereby the uprights may be detachably and rigidly joined together, and the lower ends of said T-heads 3 resting upon the upper ends of the portions l of bases 1.

At the upper ends of uprights 2 are extensions 4, which are preferably provided with longitudinal slots 4 extending therethrough adapted to receive bolts 4 passing through perforations in the upper ends of standards 2, said bolts being provided with wing nuts 4. on their outer ends, whereby the height of the extensions 4; may be readily adjusted. The band 2 at top of each standard ,2 maintains the extensions 4: in proper alignment with the standards 2.

At the top of extensions 4 are horizontally disposed heads 5 each having a plurality of sets of opposed hooks 5 on their inner or opposed faces, adapted to receive rods 6 having eyes 6 at their ends whereby the rods may be readily hung on any set of opposed hooks 5.

Each rod 6 is adapted to be passed through the upper hem of one or more curtains C, as shown, the rods 6 being suspended between the sets of opposed hooks 5 in the heads 5.

Rods 7 are likewise provided, adapted to be passed through the lower hems of the curtains hung upon the rod 6, said rods 7 being likewise provided with eyes '4' at their ends, from which may be suspended weights 8 in order to properly stretch the curtains if made of material thicker than ordinary lace, when drying. Preferably rods 7 are of greater diameter or heavier material than rods 6 in order to impart thereto the necessary weight for properly stretching ordinary lace curtains. Rods 6 and 7 are preferably coated with waterproof enamel in order that "same will not rust or stain the curtains hung thereon.

My invention simplifies the process of laundering curtains by obviating the necessity of ironing the curtains; the life of the curtains will hence be lengthened, and the curtains may be laundered in a relatively short time. frame can be readily set up and taken down, and may be stored in a relatively small space when not in use.

I claim 1. A curtain stretcher comprising a pair of bases, uprights pivotally attached to the lower portions of said bases; removable bolts transfixing the upri hts and bases above the pivots for maintaining the uprights in vertical positions; a cross brace having T-heads on its ends connecting the uprights above the bases the said 'T-heads resting upon said bases; removable bolts transfixing the T- heads and uprights; vertically adjustable extension members having longitudinal slots at The device is easily handled; the- Q neeaoaa engaging the extension members; adjustable b0 ts extending through the uprights and slots below the straps for maintainin the extension members in adjusted positlons;

and removable rods extending between the upper ends of the extension members for supporting the curtains thereon. 2. A curtain stretcher comprising a pair of bases; uprights pivotally attached to the lower portions of said bases; removable bolts transfixing the uprights and bases above the pivots for maintaining the uprights in vertical positions; a cross brace havin T-heads on its ends connecting the uprig ts above the bases; removable bolts transfixing the T- heads and uprights; vertically adjustable extension members having longitudinal slots at the upper ends of said uprights; guide straps at the upper ends of said uprights slidably engaging the extension members; adjustable bolts extending through the uprights and slots below the straps for maintalning the extension members in adjusted positions; cross heads on the upper ends of said extension members; sets of opposed hooks on said cross heads and rods extending between the cross heads and having eyelets on their ends engaging their respective sets of hooks for supporting the curtalns thereon.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I afix m signature.

- RANK W. HESS. 

